Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Whether it is a rainy or cold day, this soup is so easy to make. It is warming and so delicious. I guarentee that you'll love this soup no matter what day it is. This may seem complicated to make, but I promise you that it is a simple dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 3.5oz link sweet Italian sausage (Casing removed)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 5 cups of beef stock
• 1/3 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of red wine
• 4 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 cup of chopped carrots
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 8oz. cheese tortellini
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Procedure:

1. Place the sausage in a large pot over medium high heat and saute for 10 minutes, or until well browned.
2. Drain the fat except for about 1tbsp, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5 minutes.
3. Next add the beef stock, water, wine, tomatoes, carrotes, basil, oregano, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any fat that may surface.
4. Add the zucchini, totellini, green bell pepper and parsley to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until tortellin is fully cooked.
5. Pour into individual bowls and garnish with the Parmesan cheese.

Note: You don't have to use red wine, I just like the flavor it brings to the soup.